Capitol Sings Duke Ellington

If you like Duke Ellington's music, you will love this collection. The disc includes some very well known versions of Ellington's big hits.As expected from the title, all the versions are from the Capitol Records' vault. I miss Ella Fitzgerald. A few cuts from her would have made this album perfect. But that's a minor point as the overall collection of artists represented here is outstanding. The artists range from Duke's own orchestra to Sarah Vaughan, Nancy Wilson, Dinah Washington, Peggy Lee, Lou Rawls and the King Sisters. The title track, "Mood Indigo" is performed by Nat King Cole - simply the best.The songs have been digitally remastered and the sound is as close to perfect as modern technology can make it. The music is as clean and bright on this album as it was when it was originally recorded.Great songs; great artists; excellent sound -- so, turn up the volume and swing the house!Highly recommended!

I've been collecting the various CDs in the 'Capitol Sings' series for quite a few years and I've now only got a few more to acquire. I wasn't quite sure how well I'd enjoy 'Mood Indigo: Capitol Sings Duke Ellington'. Of course I admire Duke as an artist, pianist and big band leader but I wasn't as sure that I love his repertoire of compositions to the degree of, let's say, Frank Loesser or Johnny Mercer.Well, all I can say is that I absolutely love this CD. The performances are once again stellar by the various Capitol vocalists but it also becomes obvious that Duke was a composer of the highest caliber. Add this to your Capitol Sings collection or start a collection with this item.

Great music. Safe packaging.

CAPITOL SINGS is a set of compilation recordings featuring the composer (Rodgers & Hammerstein, Sammy Cahn, here the "Duke," and many others), not the singer or orchestra. Although most of the songs were recorded in the 1950s, they were remastered and issued here in 1990. The twenty vocals on this album include "Do Nothing 'Til You Hear from Me" (Dinah Washington), "Sophisticated Lady" (Nancy Wilson), "Don't Get Around Much Anymore" (Nat King Cole), and "I'm Just a Lucky So and So" (Annie Ross). Remastering has given these songs depth and much improved fidelity.